A map can show what is nearby. A walk can tell you how it fits into your day.
Try your actual route
Walk from the building entrance to the transport stop you expect to use. Notice crossings, steps, shelter, lighting and the difference between a route on a map and one you would comfortably take.
Look for your regular stops
Think about the places you use each week: groceries, meals, a pharmacy, a park or somewhere to sit. Visit the ones that matter to you instead of counting every amenity in the area.
Visit at different times
A quiet weekday afternoon and a busy evening can feel very different. If possible, return around the hours you would normally arrive home. Pay attention to deliveries, traffic and shared spaces without drawing conclusions from one brief visit.
Write down the trade-offs
Convenience, quiet and proximity can pull in different directions. Record which compromises feel manageable for your household. Keep your notes about observed conditions separate from assumptions about future changes.
A useful neighbourhood shortlist is personal: it reflects the routes you take and the places you actually use.